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Source: Ford Motor Company
Press Release
DESIGN
DISTINCTIVE DESIGN, INCOMPARABLE LUXURY
The 2003 Lincoln Aviator was designed from the outset to complement the
commanding presence and stance of the Lincoln Navigator. The Aviator’s interior
also takes its design direction from the 2003 Navigator, and embraces the same
distinctive blend of Lincoln design cues – satin nickel, American walnut burl
wood and unique white LED instrument lighting.
“The Lincoln Navigator defines the American luxury SUV, so Aviator’s strong
kinship builds consumers’ expectations about its level of luxury and
performance,” says Gerry McGovern, Lincoln Mercury design director.
“The new Lincoln SUV interiors are great examples of how a classic design cue
like the symmetrical instrument panel of the ’61 Continental can be executed in
a thoroughly contemporary and unique manner,” he continues. “White LED lighting
is a particularly effective design element because it reinforces the
distinctiveness of the vehicle at night when other design elements are in
shadow.”
Commanding Presence
A chromed signature Lincoln grille with dark agent vanes and large
clear-lens, quad-beam halogen headlamps dominates Aviator’s face. An HID
headlamp system is optional. It uses a high-voltage electrical arc to produce
light in a color closer to natural daylight than the yellowish hue of
conventional bulbs. The light also is aimed more precisely and distributed more
evenly.
Both headlamp systems use same-size high- and low-beam reflectors, located on
the same plane, for a consistent look. The horizontal turn indicators are
located below the reflectors for a clean appearance.
The grille is attached to the hood, so the shut lines are very tight. When
the driver pulls the hood release inside the cabin, a secondary latch
“presenter” slides out from between the grille vanes to show clearly how to open
the hood.
Circular fog lamps are built into the front bumper fascia. The upper section
of the fascia is painted body color and the lower section is charcoal to make
the bumper appear smaller. The bumper beam itself is designed to align with
passenger car frames to improve crash compatibility. The lower bumper adds to
Aviator’s aggressive stance.
Smooth body-color cladding wraps around Aviator’s wheel arches and covers the
lower sections of all four doors to protect against rock chips, dents and door
dings. Full-length running boards, which have dark gray trim, are integrated
into the sill.
The door handles, which also are finished in body color, have handles that
can be grasped from the top or bottom. Their large size provides enough
clearance to prevent rings and fingernails from scratching the paint. The large,
heated, power-adjustable side mirrors are portrait-shaped. They also feature a
memory system, integrated turn signal repeaters and approach lamps.
Chrome is used to accent the roof rack and the window belt molding. The rear
license plate surround also is chrome. The liftgate is a two-piece design with
flip-up glass that provides a shopping-cart-height liftover for small items,
such as grocery bags. Redundant tail lamps and a high-mounted LED brake lamp are
integrated into the tailgate. The radio antenna is built into the rear
quarter-window glass for a smooth appearance and reduced wind noise.
Standard on Aviator are seven-spoke 17- by 7.5-inch painted cast-aluminum
wheels fitted with S-rated P245/65R17 tires. On Premium models, the wheels have
a machined finish. A full-size spare is stored beneath the rear cargo floor.
Exterior color choices include Gold Ash Metallic, Ceramic White Tricoat,
Vivid Red Metallic (late availability), Silver Birch Metallic, Medium Wedgewood
Blue Metallic, Aspen Green Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic and Ebony.
Warm, Contemporary Interior
The broad, uncluttered surfaces in the Aviator’s cabin are richly trimmed.
The console and center stack, for example, feature a warm satin nickel finish,
and the audio controls are covered by a satin nickel door that retracts smoothly
into the instrument panel. The concealed audio controls raise the prominence of
the analog clock, which is becoming a signature feature across the Lincoln
brand.
Wide bands of wood span the perimeter of the cabin, including the doors, to
provide a visual “beltline” that enhances the impression of roominess. All three
rows of seating are trimmed in rich leather with a milled pebble grain. Interior
color choices include two-tone Light Parchment/Espresso and two-tone Medium
Ash/Dark Ash, with American walnut burl wood and mink zebrano wood trim,
respectively.
Six-way power adjustment is standard on both front seats. The driver’s seat
features a two-position memory that also stores settings for the exterior
mirrors and the standard power-adjustable pedals. For convenience and to allow
wider seat cushions, the seat-adjustment switches are located on the door panel
instead of on the seat side.
Cold cathode technology is used for the instruments, which include a
speedometer, tachometer, fuel level and coolant temperature gauges. The
indicators are backlit to enhance visibility.
The white LEDs that illuminate controls and switches in the cabin complement
the satin nickel. The legend for each control is laser etched into its satin
nickel surface and appears black in daylight. At dusk and dawn, the LEDs
automatically are illuminated at four times normal intensity to enhance contrast
and visibility.
There are more than 100 white LEDs throughout the interior. Most buttons and
controls, such as those in the audio system, use a single LED. Larger controls,
such as the radio and climate control, use two or more LEDs to achieve the
desired illumination.
Because LEDs rated as “white” can fall into a fairly broad color spectrum,
with tints that range from blue to yellow, each one is tested at the factory
before installation to assure it falls into the acceptable spectrum and output
range. An automated system tests each LED within 20 microseconds and
automatically sorts out those that fall outside the specifications of Lincoln
white light.
Light intensity is controlled through a technology called pulse-width
modulation; the number of full-power pulses through the LED is increased or
decreased to brighten or dim the light. Incandescent lamps, by contrast, reduce
current to the bulbs for dimming and have a higher overall power draw. Even at
full power output at dawn and dusk, the LED-lighted controls remain cool to the
touch.
The white lighting is a very reliable solid-state system. Each LED is rated
for more than 10,000 hours of use, compared with 3,000 to 4,000 hours for
standard bulbs.
Indulgent Comfort and Convenience
Aviator will be offered in Luxury and Premium equipment levels. Both include
a comprehensive list of standard comfort and convenience features, including:
- Dual-zone electronic climate control with secondary fan speed and
temperature controls mounted on the steering wheel
- An auxiliary climate control system for second- and third-row passengers
- Laminated front door glass, which reduces the transmission of wind and
road noise into the cabin
- Power windows and locks, including a one-touch up/down driver’s window
- AM/FM premium sound system with in-dash single-CD and cassette players,
with secondary controls mounted on the steering wheel
- Remote keyless entry, with a keyless entry keypad
Additional standard equipment on Premium models includes HID headlamps,
heated and cooled driver and front-passenger seats, an audiophile audio system
with in-dash six-CD changer and machined aluminum wheels. Options include a
power moonroof, a DVD rear-seat entertainment system, a second-row
40/20/40-split bench seat and a Class III trailer tow package. Later in the
model year, a DVD navigation system, telematics, a tire pressure monitoring
system, five-spoke chrome wheel and the AdvanceTrac traction and stability
enhancement system will become available.
REFINED EXTERIOR
A chromed signature Lincoln grille with dark agent vanes
and large clear-lens, quad-beam halogen headlamps dominate Aviator's face.
A high-intensity discharge headlamp system (shown) is optional. |
The Lincoln Navigator defines the American Luxury SUV, so
Aviator's strong kinship builds consumers' expectations about its level of
luxury and performance. |
The 2003 Lincoln Aviator was designed from the outset to complement the
commanding presence and stance of the Lincoln Navigator
Aviator backs up its commanding road presence with
exceptional utility, including best-in-class towing capability of 7,300
pounds. |
Aviator's liftgate is a two-piece design with flip-up
glass that provides a shopping-cart height liftover for small items, such
as grocery bags. Redundant tail lamps and a center, high-mounted LED brake
lamp are integrted into the tailgate. |
DISTINCTIVE INTERIOR
Aviator's interior takes its design direction from the 2003
Navigator, and embraces the same distinctive blend of Lincoln design cues -
satin nickel, American walnut burl wood and white LED lighting. |
The wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel incorporates
controls for the audio and climate control systems. |
"The new Lincoln SUV interiors are great examples of how a classic design
cue like the symmetrical instrument panel of the '61 Continental can be executed
in a thoroughly contemporary and unique manner," says Gerry McGovern
An analog clock with a satin nickel face and chrome chaplets
fills the area between the dual-zone electronic climate control system and
the dampened, articulating satin nickel-finished door that covers the audio
system and optional navigation system. |
The cold cathode instruments and the white LEDs that
illuminate controls and switches in Aviator's cabin are particularly
effective design elements because they reinforce the distinctiveness of the
vehicle at night when other design elements are in shadow. |
The screen for the optional DVD entertainment
system deploys from the headliner. |
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